Groups are seeking middle ground on undeveloped property in Ridgewood

Ralph Currey (left) and Tim Cronin present the Open Space Committee's report on the Schedler property.

Many varying opinions and discussions followed the Ridgewood Open Space Committee's recommendation to construct a 90-foot baseball diamond on the Schedler property, but one resounding cry was echoed by everyone at Wednesday's Village Council meeting: the need for balanced development.

The theory of both active and passive space at the 7-acre site touched off a debate between parties who favored a sports field proposal and those who said a project of that magnitude will jeopardize their quality of life. The same back-and-forth conversations took place earlier this year during the open space committee's public forums.

According to Ralph Currey, committee chairman, all the ideas and suggestions from those informal meetings were considered when the nine-member group finalized its recommendation. In addition to the baseball diamond, the recommended development includes an overlay all-purpose field for lacrosse and soccer in the outfield and a "significant amount of passive recreational space."

"In addition to providing space for tranquil enjoyment, passive space is necessary and desirable as a buffer for safety reasons, noise and aesthetics, both for the users of the park and the surrounding neighborhood," Currey said. "It would also be desirable to include a playground area as well as walking trails in the development plan."

Though the committee offered its development recommendation, Currey reemphasized the village's position on project funding. Citing Ridgewood's tight wallet and budgetary concerns, Currey said any agreed-upon proposal and construction must be paid for through private funds and donations.

He suggested that a recently formed organization has already indicated it would provide assistance in a fundraising effort.

"The newly established Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands has expressed interest in being involved in this project. Representatives of the village's sports organizations should also be interested parties," Currey said.

Purchased by the village in 2009, the Schedler property is currently a mostly wooded parcel tucked between West Saddle River Road and Route 17. Two structures, a nearly 200-year-old home and a detached garage, are also on the site.

Residents in the neighborhoods surrounding Schedler argued against a full-sized baseball field and advised that any decisions regarding the development should be made cautiously and over time. Members of Ridgewood Eastside Development (RED), a grassroots group that emerged earlier this year, said a Schedler project should mirror the development of one of the village's other family parks.

"Look at Habernickel Park as a model for development. It took eight years, and the first three years [were used] to resolve the arguments," said RED member Phil Dolce. "There were no time constraints [for Habernickel] ... Time should never be an issue in developing [Schedler]. If Ridgewood is equal in all its parts, then what happened at Habernickel should happen at Schedler."

Kingsbridge Lane resident Isabelle Altano expressed her concern over the size of the recommended baseball diamond, claiming that "a giant field doesn't fit on 7 acres."

"We're concerned that our cries ... were not heard," she said, adding the trees which currently sit on the property act as a buffer from Route 17 traffic and provide the residents in that area their "own place."

The fate of the property's 190-year-old house, which faces West Saddle River Road, was also a question. Conservationists, fearing that developers will demolish the structure, have fought to preserve the home and proposed that the village use it for a community building or meeting space.

The open space committee recommended that interested residents explore a "credible conservation plan" for the building, including its future use and funding to preserve it. If any building on the property is desired, the committee advised, residents should also consider "razing the house and building a new structure."

Ridgewood's youth sports organizations claim a new field is needed because of the village's lack of playing spaces. Jim Albano, president of the Ridgewood Baseball Softball Association, maintained that a full-sized baseball field is in demand because the town does "not have enough fields for the older boys."

Albano, who represented all the youth sports groups on Wednesday, further stated that a 90-foot diamond will not interfere with demands for passive recreation space, such as walking trails, playgrounds and sitting areas.

The Village Council was not involved in shaping the open space committee's recommendation, but the governing body will ultimately approve the final project. Council members offered their preliminary thoughts on the development, but they also reminded residents that the process will take time.

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh favored preserving the house on the property and said the proposal needs to incorporate more than walking paths to cover the passive recreation component. Mayor Paul Aronsohn looked to Habernickel Park and said the process to complete that park should be used as a model.

"If we can replicate that, that would be great," he said.

Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck, a third-generation Habernickel, said the development process will have "controversy and will be painful," but she is hopeful the end result will benefit all residents.